Collapsible box unit



Dec. 5, 1950 A. TAYLOR COLLAPSIBLE Box UNIT Filed Jan. 8, 1945 2Sheets-Sheet 1 gr o a NT m 4% N m W M a 4/u w Dec. 5, 1950 A. TAYLORCOLLAPSIBLE BOX UNIT'.

Filed Jan. 8, 1945 vlllllllrrllllllllllllllIll/r5 a VIII/AVII/Alli/l/l/ll/l/l/l/l/l 1 VW/A/ll/l/l/A Wuhan Tag/or M, 6 52M, Adm-M44 PHTTOQQEYJ' Patented Dec. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEGOL'LAPSIBLE BOX UNIT AuburnTaylor, Charleston, W. Va I ApplicationJanuary 8, 1945, Serial No. 571,899

1 Claim.

. I The present invention pertains to collapsible box units. Such unitsmay take a variety of specific forms to adapt them to different specialuses. For example, box units embodying the present invention may beadapted for use as ship ing containers, hampers, storage cabinets, wastebaskets, stools, chairs, and many other specific items, as willhereinafter appear in greater detail. 7 v 7 One general object of theinvention is to provide a unit" of the type indicated which is extremel'y strongand rugged when set up orer'ect'ed, but which may bereadilycollapsed into a generally' flat package of small overalldimensions.

Another object is to provide such units which embody frame membersorrail's adapted not only to rigidity the units when erected; but alsoto facilitate stacking a whole series of such units when they arecollapsed and without danger of inj ring panels included in the units.

The invention also resides in various structural improvements andinnovations in the disclosed units which adapt them for'low -cost; largescale production and for utilization of plasticized plywood for amajor'portion of each unit.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings'in which I v Figure 1 is a perspective view of acollapsible box unit embodying the present invention, the samebeing'shown in erected form.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view' of the unit of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is aperspective' view of a modified form of box unit embodyingthe invention.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the unit'of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of one of the dovetail lockingjoints incorporated in the units of both Figs. 1 anti 3.

Figs. 6 and '7 are vertical sectional views of the unit of Fig. 1showing the same, respectively, in partially and completely collapsedform.

Fig. 8 is an end' elevation of a unit like that of Fig. l collapsed andin horizontal position, additional units of like form stacked on top ofthe same being indicatedin broken lines.

Figs. 9' and Ill-areverti'cal sectional views of the modified uni-t ofFig. 3*showi'ng the same; respectively, in partiall and completelycollapsed condition.

Fig. 11 is a view similar'to Fi'g. B-i ndicating'the mode of'stackingunits like those ofFig.-- 3' when collapsed.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and will herein:describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understoodthat I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific formdisclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternativeconstructions falling within the spirit and scope: of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the invention has been.illustrated in Figs.1v and 2' as embodied ina collapsible box-unit Illparticu larlydesigned for use as a storage hamper or shippingbasket.When suitably dimensioned the same is also adapted for use as a stool.More- 7 over, it may bev used as 'a wastebasket or for many otherpurposes.

In the particular unit of Figs. 1 and 2' the parts are arran ed, whenerected, to constitute. a closed six-sided box. This structure includesa: generally rectan ular rear wall assembly composed of a rectangularback panel II and two upright frame members l2. the side edges of thepanel I I beingfixed in longitudinally extending'grooves (see also Fig.8) in the opposed faces Of the two frame members 12. These frame membersl2 rest directly on the floor when the unitis erected, serving as strongreenforcing corner posts; When collapsed the frame members I2 serve asside rails in stacking the units. as will appear hereinafter inconnectionv with Fig. 8.

Pivot'ed to three respective edge portionsofthe rear wall structure l I,['2 are three panels, shown in Fi s. 1 and 2' as a pair of side wingpanels l3 and an end panel M, the latter constituting the bottom end ofthe instant box unit. Each of the side wing panels 13 is pivoted byhing'es' 15 at its rear edge to the inner face of the uprights t2 so asto be free t0 swing through approximately ninety degrees from theerected position of Figs. 1' and 2' in which such side Wing panels arein spaced. parallel relation to the collapsed position of Fig. 7 inwhich. the side wing panels overlap each other on the frOntiate of therear panel I I The bottom panel l d, on: the other hand, is pivoted bybracket arms IE5 at its rear edge-to pivot pins l; in the inner faces ofthe uprights l2; Such bottom panel i4 is swingable downward from itshorizontal". erected position shown in. Fig. 2 through substantially twohundred seventydegree's to the: collapsed position of Fig. 7 in which itoverlies the rear face of the back panel. II.

To the free or tr'cnt edgeportioni of the bottom and panel" it is:pivoted a'fourthpanel I18 by hinges h 3 19 (Fig. 2). This fourth lpanelconstitutes the front of the box unit when the latter is erected and isdimensioned to bridge the space between the wing panels 13.

As a means of securing the unit rigidly in erected position the frontpanel I8 is locked to the wing panels 13 by dovetail joints along theiradjacent edges. Thus the front edges of the wing panels l3 may bemortised as indicated at 20 and mating tenons 2| formed on the sideedges of the front panel [8 (see Fig. 5). The hinges [9 for the frontpanel I 8 are so set that this front panel may be swung forwardly a fewdegrees to free the dovetail joints 20, 2| in collapsing the box.Thereafter the bottom panel is swung downward through the position ofFig. 6 to that of Fig. 7 and at the same time the front panel l8 swungabout its hinges l9 until it overlies the face of the bottom panel 54 asshown in Fig. '7.

The unit of Figs. 1 and 2 is completed by a lid panel 22 pivoted at itsrear edge to swing about a horizontal axis. It is provided with brackets23 connecting it to pivot pins 24. When the box unit is erected the toppanel 22 rests on the upper edges of the front and rear panels I! and it(see Fig. 2), closing the box. It can of course be swung upward at anytime to afford access to the interior of the box, and in collapsing theunit the top panel 22 is swung through substantially two hundred seventydegrees, passing through the position of Fig. 6 into the final positionof Fig. '7.

Desirably the wing panels 53 are dimensioned to extend upward above thelevel of the top panel 22 (Figs. 1 and 2) and apertured as at 25.Convenient and strong handles'for carryin the box unit are thusafforded.

With the box unit ll! erected as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a strong andrigid structure is afforded. The dovetail joints Z0, 2! constitute anespecially rigid connection between the wing panels 13 and front panell8, effectually preventing spreading 'of the wing panels under loadapplied to their inner surfaces. The lid or top panel 22 can of coursebe swung freely in opening and closing the unit and if desired a hasp orthe like (not shown) may be provided for looking it to the front panell8.

To collapse the box unit I0 is a very simple matter. To do so the userraises the lid 22 and grasps the upper edge of the front panel 13,pulling forward on the same. This frees the tenons 2! from the mortises26 so that the bottom panel l4 and front panel 18 can be swung downwardthrough the :position of Fig. 6 to the final position of Fig. 7.Thereafter the top panel 22 is swung back to overlie these panels sothat the panels I4, I 8 and 22 are superimposed, in that order, on therear face of the back panel II. The side wings l3 are simply folded in,one over the other, to overlie the front face of the back panel I 5.With the various panels of the box unit thus disposed, the resultingstack of panels is of slightly less height than the width of the postsI2. Conse quently, when a series of such box units I0 is arrangedhorizontally and stacked one on another as shown in Fig. 8, the posts l2constitute side rails bearing all of the weight of the stacked units.The only contact between successive units is, in such case, along theedges of the members l2, and consequently the panels of the units arewithout load and effectually protected from damage 'or injury eventhough a great many units be stacked.

The panels H, [3, l4, l8 and 22 of the box unit l0 can be made ofvarious rigid sheet materials.

Preferably, however, they are fashioned from plasticized plywood of, forexample, three-eighths inch thickness since their shapes particularlylend them to fabrication from such material. The 7 posts l2, on theother hand, are preferably cut from a heavier material such, forexample, as one inch lumber, to allow slots to be cut in their bottomsto insert rollers (not shown) so they can be Wheeled around like atwo-Wheel truck when load is too heavy to carry.

A somewhat modified form of collapsible box unit is shown in Fig. 3.Basically, however, its structure is like that of the unit of Fig. 1 andto facilitate comparison the same reference numerals, with an added a,have been used to identify corresponding parts in the unit of Fig. 3.

The modified unit Illa of Fig. 3 has been designed primarily for use asa folding chair. It includes a generally rectangular rear wall structurecomposed of a panel Ila and two upright frame members or posts l2a, therear panel Ila being fixed to the edges of the posts lZa in thisinstance, rather than being inset into the grooves in the opposed facesof the latter. This is done for the reason that in the unit Illa all ofthe panels are, as will hereinafter appear, arranged to be collapsedinto a stack on one face of the rear panel rather than in two stacks onopposite faces of the same, as was done in the unit [0.

Plvoted to three respective edge portions of the rear wall structure Ha,I 2a are three panels, shown in Figs. 3 and 4 as a pair of side wingpanels 93a and an upper end panel I la, the latter constituting theseating surface of the unit when erected. The wing panels [3a arepivoted alon their respective rear edges by hinges l5a to the opposedinner faces of the posts [2a so that the wing panels i3a may swing fromtheir projected spaced parallel position of Figs. 1 and 2 intooverlapped relation with each other when the unit is collapsed (Figs. 9and 10). The top end panel Ma is, on the other hand, pivoted along itsrear edge by brackets 56a on pivot pins N11 to the upper end portions ofthe posts [2a, this panel being adapted to swing from its horizontalposition shown in Figs. 3 and 4 downward to the collapsed position ofFig. 10 where it overlies the infolded win panels [3a.

To the free or front edge portion of the top end panel I la is pivoted afourth panel l8a by hinges [9a. This fourth panel constitutes the frontof the box unit or chair base and is dimensioned to bridge the spacebetween the wing panels l3a.

As a means of securing the unit Illa rigidly in erected positiondovetail joints are provided between the adjacent edges of the wingpanels |3a and front panel l8a. For that purpose the front edges of thewingpanels are mortised as indicated at 20a and mating tenons 20a formedon the side edges of the front panel (Fig. '1).

The unit Illa is completed by a backrest panel 22a pivoted at its rearedge by brackets 23a on pivot pins Z ta carried on the heretoforementioned bracket arms [6a. This backrest panel 22a is swingable betweenan upright position with reference to the top panel Ma shown in Fig. 3and a collapsed position shown'in Fig. 10 in which the backrest panellies fiat against the outer face of the panel I 4a. The bracket arms2311 have flanges 232) (Fig. 4) which overlie the back face of the panel22a and when the latter panel is upright the lower ends of these flanges23b bear against the upperedges of thebracket arms ifia, thus limitingthe rearwardswing of the panel 22a. The dimensioning of the edges ofsuch flanges 231) with reference to the top edges of the bracket arms16a can be made such as to stop the panel 22a in a desired position ofslight inclination calculated to give the most comfortable seating.

Desirably the wing panels (3a are apertured at 25a to lighten thestructure and save material. Similarly, the front panel l8a may beapertured at l8b for the same purpose.

With the unit 16a erected as shown in Fig. 3 it constitutes a sturdy yetcomfortable chair of light weight which can easily be moved about. Tocollapse this chair the user grasps the lower edge of the front panel18a, pulling it forward to disengage the dovetail joints 29a, 21 a. Thenthe user pushes upward on the front panel Isa to raise it and the toppanel I ia slightly, whereupon the side wings 13a may be swung inwardinto the overlapped position of Fig. 9. Thereafter the front panel 18ais folded upward against the bottom face of the top panel Ma and thelatter swung downward through the position of Fig. 9 to that of Fig. 19.Moreover, the backrest panel 220. is swung downward against the face ofthe top panel Eda. In this Way the chair unit 16a may be quicklycollapsed or folded for storage. When so collapsed all of the panels13a, 13a, Eda and 22a are stacked, one on another, on the face of theback panel Ha. The posts [2a are of sufficient width that they protrudebeyond this stack of panels so that they constitute stacking rails forunits Illa piled one on another (see Fig. 11).

I claim as my invention:

A collapsible box unit comprising, in combina-. tion, a wall structureincluding a pair of upright corner posts having means bridging the spacebetween them and rigidly joining the same, a plurality of panelspivotally connected along their edges to a corresponding plurality ofright-angu- 4n larly related edge portions of said wall structure toswing from a collapsed position in which they Number Name Date 51,139Byrn Nov. 28, 1865 160,942 Murray Mar. 16, 1875 592,695 Cocnrcd Oct. 26,1897 649,660 Erity May 15, 1900 677,683 Murphy July 2, 1901 752,880Bacon Feb. 23, 1904 1,612,277 Rapoport Dec. 19, 1911 1,102,687 RearickJuly 7, 1914 1,163,263 Rudduck Dec. 7, 1915 1,167,570 Jones Jan. 11,1916 1,298,349 Keating Mar. 25, 1919 1,447,660 Olevin Mar. 6, 19231,992, 134 Kosanek Feb. 26, 1935 2,071,226 Gehret Feb. 16, 1937 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 49,122 Norway Mar. 16, 1931 are all stackedin parallelism to said back structure to an erected position in whicheach is normal to another, means for locking said panels in erectedposition, and the width of said posts being greater than the thicknessof the stack formed by said panels when in collapsed condition, and saidposts being disposed along the sides of the stack with the front andrear surfaces thereof disposed beyond the outermost panels of the stackso that a plurality of such units may be piled up in horizontal positionone on another with the longitudinal surface of the posts of each unitresting on the longitudinal surface of the posts of the next one beneathand without contact between their panels.

AUBURN TAYLOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

